HER2 positive esophageal cancer : latest update

mrkenney said:

Given how invasive this form

Given how invasive this form of cancer can be I think stable is good. That was my last CT Scan also so cheers.  I'm not HER2 positive so haven't been on HERCEPTIN.  How is your husband tolerating that? Are there fewer side effects than with FOLFOX?

Mrkenney , cheers to you also.

Herceptin, being targeted therapy is a lot easier. the main thing to watch out for is its effects on the heart, thus an ultrasound of the heart every three months.

My husband felt very good when he had herceptin and LV5FU2 . he should feel even better when on herceptin only. also no need for blood tests before chemo and given every three weeks , not every two weeks like folfox. but you have to be her2 positive to benefit from the Herceptin.

he doesn't feel  bad with the herceptin and folfox, just some neuropathy brought on by cold temps.  but the neuropathy can become permanent is folfox is given beyond six infusions at a time.  

all the best,

danièle

Deathorglory said:

Glad to hear

Hello,

 

I'm glad to hear that the latest test result is stable.  I'm sure you guys would have preferred to see shrinkage, but stable is still good.  

 

Best wishes,

 

Ed

thank you ED. 

Yes , we would have preferred shrinkage or even better NED, but his oncologist seemed pleased with stable and feels it is under control. Also, she says there is very little disease. Being on Herceptin only will be a lot easier in every respect, few or no side effects and the schedule of every three weeks will be easier for Claude. and thankfully he feels very good most times, a bit of neuropathy when it's cold and digestive issues at times when he eats too much or certain foods.

How are you doing? ARe you still on Herceptin? Still every week?

Take care and all the best,

danièle

Deathorglory said:

Update

Hi Daniele,

 

I just got some test results back.  CT scan was clean.  I also had an endoscopic ultrasound done (for other reasons) and they biopsied some pancreatic stuff, but that was also clean. My oncologist continues to be very happy with how everything is going.  I'm still getting the Herceptin weekly.  I'm at 27+ months now.  We currently have no plans to discontinue it as long as the echocardiograms are good.   

 

"Very little disease" sounds good; I'm glad for you guys.  Compared to Folfox, Herceptin's side effects are minimal, at least that's how it's been for me.  Diarrhea has been the worst of it, with some nosebleeds and runny/drippy nose thrown in .  Absolutely nothing compared to Folfox.  I've thought about bringing up an every three week schedule with my doctor, because it sounds three times easier than going weekly, but I'm still apprehensive about altering a system that is working so well for me.  I hope everything continues to go well for you guys also.  

 

Can't wait for Spring to get here,

 

Ed

Hi Ed,

That is wonderful news. So glad your tests came back clean. 

Claude in fact does have occasional nose bleeds  and a constant drippy nose also. i didn't think that was due to the herceptin since he has not had  herceptin alone yet I thought it was the 5 FU or oxaliplatin.

His next echocardiogram in in April.

  end of march will be two years since they first noticed recurrence on his left pleural membrane and four years  since the original diagnosis.

The last two tests he had were pet scans because everything was so small.

It will only be one year on herceptin in May. 

I mentioned to Claude 's oncologist that I knew someone in the US who was getting Herceptin weekly and she said that it couldn't be done weekly here in France. There are guidelines they have to follow on treatments here and  I think they always decide as a team before any changes in treatment are made.

 I do understand that you'd like to continue with something that has worked so well for you.

for breast cancer they are trying out the sub cutaneous form of herceptin on a trial basis here in France. Perhaps soon that will become standard for everybody getting herceptin and will be easier and faster than going in for an infusion .

Heard that you had a lot of snow. That reminds us of our days in Maine and Quebec City. It's been drab and grey here in Paris but amazingly mild , so we can't complain. Claude uses his bike as his mode of transportation every day,( something he could not do in Maine or Quebec City).

Again, so glad that things are going so well for you and  and hope also that things continue that way.

all the best,

danièle